In a recent article on Thai PBS World, long-time ASEAN expert Kavi Chongkittavorn recalled stories about Vu Khoan, a talented Vietnamese diplomat with many memories associated with ASEAN.
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| An article by ASEAN expert Kavi Chongkittavorn about Mr. Vu Khoan in Thai PBS World. (Screenshot) |
In late 1994, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Khoan led a delegation to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. At that time, Mr. Vu Khoan was undertaking an important task: to learn about ASEAN before Vietnam made the historic decision of whether or not to join as the 7th member of ASEAN.
ASEAN expert Kavi Chongkittavorn, then a special assistant to the ASEAN Secretary-General, recorded Mr. Vu Khoan's questions and views during a 1.5-hour meeting with senior officials of the Secretariat.
One of the first questions Mr. Vu Khoan raised was, "What are the benefits of being a member of ASEAN?" or "How many agreements and treaties must Vietnam participate in and comply with upon joining?"... Mr. Vu Khoan was very curious about the rules and regulations within ASEAN.
Mr. Vu Khoan's questions also focused on the bloc's foreign relations, as Vietnam is promoting its position in the region and internationally. Towards the end of the session, Mr. Vu Khoan also submitted a series of questions for the Secretariat to answer later.
According to expert Kavi Chongkittavorn, in the eyes of those working on ASEAN, Mr. Vu Khoan is known as a negotiator with a gentle demeanor but firm arguments. The Vietnamese diplomat speaks fluent English, has a quick mind, and reacts flexibly.
Vietnam's accession to ASEAN was an unprecedented event for ASEAN at the time, and many expressed doubts about whether Vietnam could integrate into ASEAN. However, Vietnam has clearly done very well; after 28 years, it has become one of the leading members of ASEAN.
After Vietnam joined ASEAN, Mr. Vu Khoan participated with other high-ranking officials in discussions on various aspects of cooperation within ASEAN. At a high-level officials' meeting in Brunei Darussalam, the country that held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1995, Mr. Vu Khoan helped his ASEAN colleagues agree on the abbreviation for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
During the two-day discussion, ASEAN officials were unable to agree on the abbreviation AEM for the conference, as it conflicted with the abbreviation for the ASEAN Economic Meeting. Ultimately, Mr. Vu Khoan proposed abbreviating the Asia-Europe Meeting as “ASEM.” According to Mr. Vu Khoan, this abbreviation would resolve the issue. In Vietnam, abbreviations typically use the first two letters of a name or title.
There was a pause at the meeting, and then the chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting asked if there were any objections. Another silence followed. The chair then announced that there were no objections. It was a memorable moment in the annals of ASEAN's development.
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